April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E513 rebuilding their industrial bases and working to Africa. ‘‘My father is still remembered in night in Indianapolis by a score of 73–57. This with small business owners and minority en- many places in Africa. Fellows from the Ron marks the first NCAA men’s title in basketball trepreneurs to create and expand employment Brown Institute based in Pretoria have been for any Division I school in Florida. interns in companies in southern Africa. As you may know, the team lost most of its opportunities. Small and medium sized companies go to the Mr. Speaker, Ronald Brown was an excep- Ron Brown Commercial Center in Johannes- scoring players from last season and many tional individual with accomplishments too nu- burg for help with their commercial trans- pundits questioned whether this year’s Gators merous to list. He left an indelible impression actions. He introduced us to the benefits of would even make it into the NCAA tour- not only in the United States but in many commercial diplomacy.’’ nament. First, they started the season by win- countries abroad. As evidenced by the article The Constituency for Africa is a non-profit ning their first 17 games. Then they went on that I submit to the RECORD, I join the Con- and non-governmental organization based in to secure the SEC Conference tournament stituency for Africa (CFA), a U.S.-based coali- Washington, DC, that focuses on advocacy championship. And, just when it was thought tion with interest in Africa, in acknowledging and educational initiatives directed at U.S. they couldn’t top that, they ended their historic Africa policy. CFA’s mission is to advocate, the many contributions made in Africa by the educate, inspire, act upon and inform its season winning the national title. late Secretary of Commerce. constituency about issues, concerns and During the past month, these young, ener- (March 31, 2006, Washington, DC) challenges impacting the quality of life for getic Gators won the hearts and minds of fans THE CONSTITUENCY FOR AFRICA REMEMBERS the nations of Africa. everywhere. Their success came down to a RON BROWN f simple formula: they played as an unselfish, Apri1 3 marks the tenth anniversary of the hardworking and passionate team. plane crash in Croatia which ended the life of CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTH- Head coach Billy Donovan deserves enor- late Commerce Secretary Ronald H. Brown DAY OF MS. CARRIE COLEMAN mous credit for building such a dominant pro- and 34 others traveling with him on a trade ROBINSON gram. His team held to his often professed mission to the Balkans. The Constituency mantra of ‘‘PHD’’—‘‘be poor, be hungry and for Africa (CFA), a Washington, D.C. based be driven’’—in their pursuit of excellence coalition of organizations, groups and indi- HON. JOE WILSON viduals with interest in Africa, acknowledges OF SOUTH CAROLINA whether on the court or in the classroom. the contributions made by the late Secretary IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I applaud the strong performances by the entire team: Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey in forging U.S. ties with Africa. Tuesday, April 4, 2006 ‘‘Ron Brown opened the doors to recogni- Brewer, Taurean Green, Lee Humphrey, Chris tion of the importance of the U.S.-Africa re- Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speak- Richard, Adrian Moss, Walter Hodge, Brett lationship, highlighting the trade and invest- er, today I rise to honor the life of Ms. Carrie Swanson, Jack Berry, Garrett Tyler and David ment opportunities, traveling to Africa and Coleman Robinson, a citizen of Hilton Head Huertas. supporting organizations seeking to educate, Island who will celebrate her 100th birthday on Again, congratulations to the University of advocate and build ties with Africa,’’ said April 21, 2006. Melvin P. Foote, the Chief Executive Officer Florida for this impressive and historic win. of the Constituency for Africa. In celebration The Hilton Head Island Town Council re- Today it is truly great to be a Florida Gator. of Ron Brown’s legacy, CFA established a cently issued the following proclamation in her f highly regarded Ronald H. Brown African Af- honor: fairs series during Congressional Black Cau- Whereas, Carrie Coleman Robinson, her COMMENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF cus Week which features speakers and semi- family, and friends will be gathering on Hilton FLORIDA MEN’S BASKETBALL nars on critical issues confronting Africa, in- Head Island, South Carolina from April 21–23, TEAM ON WINNING THE NCAA cluding issues of health, agriculture, energy 2006 to celebrate her 100th birthday, and CHAMPIONSHIP and trade. Whereas, many of Ms. Robinson’s family ‘‘The term, ‘Africa matters’ was used by the National Summit on Africa and many and friends will be coming from such diverse HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS other events over recent years, but was first locations as Minnesota, California, Indiana, OF FLORIDA used in a major speech by Ron Brown. He Alabama, North Carolina and Illinois, and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Whereas, Carrie Coleman Robinson was truly put the spotlight on Africa’s potential Tuesday, April 4, 2006 for the Clinton Administration. He got born April 21, 1906 to James and Cordelia American companies who would never have Coleman in Madison County, Pocahontas, Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to considered trading and investing, to take a Mississippi, and congratulate the University of Florida men’s closer look. He also elevated the African dip- Whereas, Carrie was the 5th of 6 siblings, basketball team on winning the 2006 NCAA lomatic corps and Africa focused organiza- all of whom are now deceased, and national championship. tions by engaging them in dialogue and None of college basketball’s so-called ex- showing them the respect he believed they Whereas, Carrie was married to Dr. Thomas deserved,’’ reflected Leonard Robinson, L. Robinson of Hilton Head Island for 54 years perts picked the University of Florida to do President of the Africa Society of the Na- until his death in 1989, and much, if anything, this season. In fact, they tional Summit on Africa. Whereas, Ms. Robinson’s education is un- were not even ranked in the preseason polls. Ron Brown was the first African-American paralleled as she received an Associate Bach- This was to be a rebuilding year for the chairman of the Democratic National Com- elor’s degree from Tougaloo College in 1931, Gators. They lost three prolific scorers to the mittee and the first to travel to sub-Saharan a BLS degree from the Hampton Institute in NBA last season and were considered too Africa. During that trip in 1990 he talked young and inexperienced to play with most of about political development, but also the im- 1932, and an MLS degree from the University portance of trade and investment. Later, of Illinois in 1949 while she also attended Co- the Southeastern Conference, let alone the when he became Secretary of Commerce, he lumbia University from 1940–41 and Advanced elite teams in the NCAA tournament. made good on his belief in the importance of Studies from 1953–55, However, Coach Billy Donovan and his un- economic development and commercial ties Now, therefore the Hilton Head Island Town wavering team knew differently. Through hard by leading numerous trade missions to Afri- Council hereby proclaims April 21, 2006 as: work, drive, discipline, and determination, the ca including one to South Africa a few days The Centennial Birthday of Carrie Coleman Gators soon made their presence felt. Led by after sanctions were lifted by the U.S.; he Robinson on Hilton Head Island. four sophomores and one junior, they began opened a U.S. commercial center in South f their historic season with a 17-game winning Africa, now named after him; opened and ex- streak, the longest in Florida basketball his- panded commercial offices in regional hubs FLORIDA GATOR MEN’S throughout Africa; supported passage of the tory. And they concluded their title run by win- Africa Growth and Opportunity Act; rallied BASKETBALL REMARKS ning their last 11 games, including an SEC other U.S. Government Agencies around Af- tournament championship, an unbelievable run rica issues and invited senior officials from HON. MARK FOLEY through the Minneapolis region, and a domi- those agencies to travel with him to Africa OF FLORIDA nating performance in the Final Four. and to develop solutions to problems in a co- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In the championship game, the Gators faced operative manner. He helped to create the a very talented UCLA team, heralded for their Corporate Council on Africa and remained a Tuesday, April 4, 2006 defense and rich with basketball tradition. But loyal supporter during his tenure as Com- merce Secretary. Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend on this night, Florida wrote the next and best Michael Brown, Board Member of CFA, lob- the Florida Gators men’s basketball team for chapter of their basketball tradition. Poised byist and candidate for Mayor of Wash- winning their first ever national championship and focused, the Gators took the court where ington, DC, reflected on his father’s travels title. They handily beat the UCLA Bruins last their balanced offensive attack swamped VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:37 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A04AP8.064 E04APPT1 HMoore on PROD1PC68 with HMREMARKS E514 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 4, 2006 UCLA’s defense. Furthermore, the Gators lence in their field of endeavor as an adult. abused and tortured. It is morally abhorrent quickly demonstrated that their defense was The board has held a celebratory event that that, in the 21st Century, brave men and the more domineering on the court, limiting involved the community to recognize their suc- women like Mr.